REFERENCE TITLE: partnership; Azerbaijan; U.S.

State of Arizona Senate Fifty-first Legislature First Regular Session 2013

SR 1005

Introduced by Senators Driggs, Biggs, Farley, McComish, Tovar: Barto, Crandall, Melvin, Murphy, Pierce, Shooter, Worsley, Yarbrough (with permission of Committee on Rules)

 

A RESOLUTION

 

RECOGNIZING AND SUPPORTING the STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND THE REPUBLIC OF AZERBAIJAN.

 

 

(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)

 

Whereas, the Republic of Azerbaijan restored its independence in October 1991 after the collapse of the Soviet Union, proclaiming itself the heir to the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic, which was established in 1918 and was the first secular democratic republic in the Muslim world.  The Azerbaijan Democratic Republic was among the first nation-states granting right to vote to women and was recognized by other democratic nations, including the United States of America; and

Whereas, May 28, 2013 marks the 95^th anniversary of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic and will be celebrated by Azerbaijani-Americans throughout the United States and by Azerbaijanis around the globe; and

Whereas, the United States was one of the first countries to recognize the independence of the Republic of Azerbaijan in 1991 and to establish full‑fledged diplomatic relations with the nation in 1992; and

Whereas, over the last twenty-two years, Azerbaijan has consolidated its sovereignty and independence and has become one of the fastest developing countries in the region and beyond; and

Whereas, the election of Azerbaijan to the nonpermanent seat on the United Nations Security Council in October 2011 is a testament to the growing role and increased capabilities of this nation in maintaining peace and security in the wider Middle East; and

Whereas, the United States and the United Nations recognize and support Azerbaijan's sovereignty and territorial integrity with an area of 33,440 square miles, which also includes the Karabakh and Nakhchivan regions; and

Whereas, Azerbaijan is a staunch ally of the United States in the critically important Caspian region; and

Whereas, the United States and Azerbaijan have developed a strong strategic partnership based on shared values, interests and vision; and

Whereas, Azerbaijan was one of the first countries to render unconditional assistance to the United States after the terrorist attacks of 9/11, opening its airspace and airports for use by coalition troops in Afghanistan and sending its officers and soldiers to serve there shoulder‑to‑shoulder with American troops; and

Whereas, today around 40% of all supplies for United States troops and its allies in Afghanistan are delivered via Azerbaijan; and

Whereas, the United States and Azerbaijan continue their successful cooperation in counterterrorism efforts and the nonproliferation of weapons of mass destruction, which is of particular importance since Azerbaijan is an ally nation located between Iran and Russia; and

Whereas, possessing vast oil and gas resources, Azerbaijan contributes to the energy security of the United States and European nations and is a critical element of the "Southern Corridor," which will further enhance diversification of energy supplies to our European allies; and

Whereas, Azerbaijan has a long-standing tradition of peaceful coexistence between various ethnic and religious communities and is one of the few secular countries in the Middle East with a predominately Muslim population that maintains close, friendly ties with Israel; and

Whereas, Azerbaijan attaches great importance to expanding its relations in all spheres, including trade, cultural and educational exchange with the State of Arizona; and

Whereas, it is critical for the United States to further strengthen relations with its allies such as Azerbaijan to advance our common interests, both now and in the future.

Therefore

Be it resolved by the Senate of the State of Arizona:

That the Members of the Senate recognize and support the strategic partnership and friendship between the United States of America and the Republic of Azerbaijan, and encourage the further enhancement of this relationship through mutual efforts over the years to come.